Picture frame



Dec. 11, 1928, 1,694,755

- c. G. RENTOS PICTURE FRAME Filed March 6, 1928 zg fi\ /0 Hum mentor al toz M11 Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

in STATES CONSTANTINOS G. BENTOS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PICTURE FRAME.

Application filed March 6, 1928. Serial No. 259,493.

lhis invention relates to picture frames and more particularly to a novel picture frame which can be held in an upright position on either side thereof on a fiat surface or suspended from either side thereof from a Wall.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a novel supporting bracket for the picture frame and novel means for associating the bracket with the picture frame whereby the bracket can be utilized for holding the picture frame in an upright position on a fiat surface on one of its short sides, or in an upright position on a flat surface on one of its long sides or as means for suspending the picture frame froma wall from either, one of its short sides or one of its long sides.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a swivel associated with the rear of the picture frame havin apertured-ears and pairs of ears carried by the frame adjacent to one short and one long side with a novel bracket embodying hingedly connected spring arms, the spring arms being adapted to be associated with the apertured ears of the swivel and the pairs of ears of the frame for holding the picture frame in various upright positions on a surface and in suspended position from the wall.

A further salient object of the invention is the provision of a picture frame embodying a Hat plate having side longitudinal strips secured to the rear face thereof on each side of the picture opening and a short trans verse strip secured to the rear face of the plate at one end thereof, with a T-shaped bridge plate for connection with the longitudinal and transverse strips for holding the glass and picture in place in conjunction with said strips.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel T-shaped holding plate for the picture, glass and back plate for engagement with the picture frame, said plate carrying a swivel bracket and apertured ears arranged at right angles with a bracket detachably connected with the swivel bracket for holding the frame in different exhibiting positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved picture frame of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the picture frame showing the same resting on one of its long longitudinal edges,

Figure 2 is a transverse section through the frame taken on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows,-

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the i1nproved picture frame illustrating the posi tion of the bracket for holding the frame in an upright position on one of its longitudinal edges on a flat surface,

Figure 4- is a transverse section through the frame taken on the line A l of Figure 3, illustrating the arrangement of the bracket for holding the frame on one of its side longitudinal edges on a flat surface,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the frame supported by the bracket in an upright position on one of its short transverse edges,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the frame showing the position of the bracket for permitting the suspension of the picture from a wall or other support by the novel bracket, and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the position of the bracket for permitting the suspension of the picture by the novel bracket with its short transverse edges parallel with the floor.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate cor responding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved picture frame and B the novel bracket associated therewith.

The frame A includes a front plate 10 which can be of any desired form and of any desired material and ornamented in any preferred way to present an attractive appearance. As shown, this plate is of a greater length than width and is provided with a picture exhibiting opening 11 and the edges of this opening can be beveled, if preferred, as at 12.

The rear face of the plate 10 has secured thereto or formed thereon longitudinally extending strips or cleats 13 and these strips or cleats extend longitudinally of the plate on each side of the picture exhibiting opening 11 in slightly spaced relation to the edges thereof to provide a seat 14 for the protecting glass 15, picture 16, and back strips 17. The rear face of the plate at one transverse edge thereof is provided with a short strip or cleat 18 and this cleat or strip 18 is also slightly spaced from one transverse edge of the picture opening 11.

fhe protecting glass plate 15, the picture 16 and the backing strips 17 are held in place in a novel manner and I provide a T-shaped plate 19 for this purpose. As shown, this T-shaped plate 1.9 embodies a central longitudinally extending leg 20 and oppositely extending arms 21. The terminals of the arms 21 are connected to the longitudinally extending cleats or strips 13 by the use of screws 22 or other suitable fastening elements. The end of the leg 20 remote from the arm 21 is preferably reduced in cross section and is secured to the short transverse cleat or strip 13 by the use of a holding screw 23 or other fastening appliance. This T- shaped plate 19 forms an ethcient means for holding the picture in an exhibiting position.

In accordance with this invention the outor end of one arm 21 is provided with a pair of apertured cars 24 and the leg 20 adjacent to the reduced portion thereof-is likewise provided with a pair of apertured ears 25.

A U-shaped bracket 26 is connected by the use of a suitable pivot 27 through the Y- shaped plate at the point of juncture of the arm 21 and leg 20 and the outstanding portions or legs of the U-shaped bracket 26 are provided with openings 28, for a purpose which will be later described. The bracket 26 is in the nature of a swivel bracket and can be swung to any desired position. either parallel with the pairs of ears 24: on the arm 21 or parallel with the pairs of ears 25 on the leg 20.

The bracket B forms an important feature of this invention and cooperates with the bracket 26 and the pairs of cars 24 and 25 as will be now described.

It is to be noted that the supporting bracket 13 comprises a pair of U-shaped resilient members 30 and 31 and that the U-shaped member 30 is of a greater length than the U- shaped member 31. The bight portions of these members are connected together so that the members can be swung relative to one another and as shown. the bight portion of the U-shaped member 31 is coiled to provide ahinge barrel which is loosely mounted upon the bight portion of the member 30. As stated, these U-shaped members are resilient and provide resilient legs which have their outer terminals bent outwardly at right angles to provide respectively feet 32 and The U-shaped member 31 has preferably slidably mounted thereon a loop 34:.

In use of the bracket B and when it is desired to hold the picture frame in an upright position on one longitudinal edge on a flat surface, the feet 33 of the member 31 are inserted through the openings 28 of the swiv el bracket 26 by compressing the legs of the member together. The feet 32 of the member 30 are inserted in the apertured ears 2% and it will be seen that the bracket B will project rearwardly from the picture frame and form an effective support therefor. This is clear-- 1y shown in Figures 3 and of the drawing.

lVhen it is desired to support the frame on one transverse edge or flat support the bracket B is removed from the swivel and apertured ears 2% and the swivel is swung parallel with the pair of ears 25. The feet 32 of the member 30 are inserted in the openings 28 in the swivel bracket 26 wnile the feet 33 of the short member 31 are inserted in the apertured ears The bracket will then extend rearwardly from the picture frame and permit the picture frame to be readily set up on a support. This arrangement is shown in Figure 5 of the drawing.

In Figure 6 of the drawing I have illustrated the use of the supporting bracket for holding the picture suspended from a wall and, in this instance, the feet of the bracket are inserted in openings 28 of the swivel and the loop 34; can be placed over a suitable holding nail or the like 35. This will permit the picture frame to be suspended from a support with its longitudinal edges disposed parallel with the floor.

In Figure "2', I have illustrated the use of the bracket for suspending the picture from a wall with the transverse edges parallel with the floor and in this instance, the feet 32 of the long member 30 are inserted in the apertured ears 25 and the member 30 is placed flat against the frame for engagement with the swivel 26 which is placed parallel with the ears 25. A cotter pin 36 is placed through the openings 28 of the swivel 26 so as to hold the member 30 against movement and the member 31 hingedly carried by the member 30 can be utilized for holding the picture on the wall and the loop 3% is then placed over a suitable holding nail or book as shown.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that I have not only provided a picture frame of simple and durable construction but also novel means associated with the frame for permitting the frame to be supported either on a longitudinal edge or a transverse edge on a flat surface or suspended from the wall with either its longitudinal edges or its transverse edges parallel with the floor.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention but what I claim as new is l. A picture frame comprising a flat plate having a picture exhibiting opening, spaced longitudinally extending cleats secured to the rear face of the plate on each side of the picture exhibiting opening in slightly spaced relation to the longitudinal edges thereof, a transverse cleat secured to the rear face of the plate in spaced relation to one transverse edge of the picture opening, and a T-shaped memher having its arms connected with the longitudinal cleats and its leg connected with the transverse cleat.

2. A picture frame comprising a front plate having a picture exhibiting opening, longitudinally extending cleats secured to the rear face thereof in spaced relation to the longitudinal edges of the picture exhibiting opening, a relatively short transverse cleat secured to the rear face of the plate in spaced relation to one transverse edge of the picture exhibiting opening, and a T-shaped picture retaining plate including oppositely extending arms and a central leg, means securing the arms to the longitudinal cleats, a reduced extension on said leg, and means connecting the said reduced extension to the transverse cleats.

3. In a picture frame, a front frame member, a rear frame member, pairs of apertured ears arranged respectively adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the front frame member and one transverse edge of the front frame member at the rear face thereof and a swivel connected with the rear frame member adj acent to the center thereof, and a supporting bracket including pivotally connected U- shaped members of unequal lengths, right an: gularly extending feet formed on the terminals of said members, to detachably engage the swivel and apertured ears selectively for holding the frame in different positions.

4. In a picture frame, a front frame member a T-shaped rear frame member, a pair of apertured ears carried by one arm of said T- shaped member and arranged adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the front frame member, a pair of apertured ears carried by the leg of the T-shaped member and arranged adjacent to one transverse edge of the front frame member, a swiveled U-shaped apertured bracket connected to the central portion of the T-shaped member and adapted to and aligned with either pair of apertured ears, of a supporting bracket including resilient U-shaped members hingedly connected together of unequal length, outwardly extending feet formed on the terminals of said resilient U- the feet being adapted shaped members, said feet being adapted to selectively engage the apertured ears of the swiveledbracketsorthe apertured ears carried by the leg or arm of the T-shaped member for holding the frame in different adjusted positions.

5. In a picture frame, a front frame member, a T-shaped rear frame member, a pair of apertured ears carried by one arm of said T- shaped member and arranged adjacent to one longitudinal edge of the front frame member, a pair of apertured ears carried by the leg of the T-shaped member and arranged adjacent to one transverse edge of the front frame member, a swiveled U-shaped apertured bracket connected to the central portion of the T-shaped member and adapted to and aligned with either pair of apertured ears, of a supporting bracket including resilient U- shaped members hingedly connected together of unequal length, outwardly extending feet formed on the terminals of said resilient U- shaped members, said feet being adapted to selectively engage the apertured ears of the swivel brackets or the apertured ears carried by the leg or arm of the T-shaped member for holding the frame in different adjusted positions, and a loop carried by one of said U-shaped resilient members for engaging a supporting fastening element.

6. In a picture frame, a front picture frame member, a rear member of T-shape connected with the front member including oppositely extending arms and a leg, apertured cars carried by the leg, apertured ears carried by one arm, and a U-shaped apertured swiveled bracket carried by said T-shaped member at the central portion thereof, a supporting bracket for the frame including a pair of resilient U-shaped members hingedly connected together of unequal length, oppositely extending attaching feet formed on the opposite ends of the said U-shaped resilient members, the feet being adapted to selectively engage the apertures of the swiveled bracket and the apertured ears, a removable pin for holding one of the U-shaped resilient members in engagement with the swiveled bracket, and a loop slidably carried to the other memher for engaging a supporting hook.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CONSTANTINOS G. RENTOS. 

